Impact of Climate Change on Women

‘India has halved its poverty rate since the 1990s and has achieved a seven percent-plus growth rate over the last 15 years’, stated the World Bank in February 2020. India’s growth is expected to continue and elimination of extreme poverty is within reach. The country will undergo considerable changes at the same time.

India is both, critical to the success of global development efforts, including the eradication of poverty, and as an influential leader for global goods addressing climate change. India is one of the front lines of climate change. There are two types of climate changes in the environment. One is the Natural Climate Cycles where the climate varies without human influence. The other is Anthropogenic Climate Cycles, which includes changes that are human-induced or human-caused. Human activities on this planet like the burning of fossil fuels, greenhouse gases interfere with the natural cycles and therefore affect the environment.

The effects of climate change are already being manifested. Around the world, communities are threatened by environmental changes including increased pollution, unsafe water sources, decreasing wildlife populations, and many more. Additionally, climate change has also proven to have gendered impacts.

The gender angle of climate change events:

A recent study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has shown how the effects of climate change are leading to an increase in violence against girls and women in many corners of the world. “This study shows us that the damage humanity is inflicting on nature, can also fuel violence against women around the world — a link that has so far, been largely overlooked.” (Welle) Women are being sold off, girls are being married against their will, to help their families survive the climate disasters. The aftermath of any climate change event results in an increase in domestic violence. Also the growing resource scarcity increases the risk that women face and girls often will be victims of violence.

Since back then till now, women continue to do the majority of the domestic work, housekeeping, caregiving for children and the elderly. These contributions are far less likely to be recognized and valued. Similarly, the effects of climate change on women, tend to become invisible to us. Women play a crucial role in natural resources management within their households. “In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), 8 in 10 women are responsible for collecting water for their household. Women are responsible for over 70% of water-related chores and management globally. In India alone, women make up over 65% of the agricultural workforce” (Namratha Rao). With increasing drought and changes in water availability, water sources and wells are drying up. Women have to fetch water and if they’re forced to walk farther for that water, the risk of sexual assault also increases, especially in regions characterized by armed gangs. The same risk applies to the gathering of firewood for cooking purposes.

In places where women are in charge of agriculture, an abrupt natural disaster or extreme weather event can have a dramatic effect on their social and family standing. If harvests are exposed or destroyed altogether, this can lead to violence from their own families. Women are excessively experiencing more poverty than men worldwide. They have access to less financial independence. They are also unable to bounce back in terms of jobs and training opportunities after climate disasters. Women are vulnerable to poverty and have lower socio-economic power than men.

As a consequence of climate change, natural disasters like floods and tsunami create a greater risk for women. Women are more likely to die than men because they stay back to look for children and relatives as per their gender roles, and also because they do not know how to swim or climb trees like the men.

Everyone identifies the financial costs of the climate crisis as heatwaves, wildfires, storms, etc which appear powerful and frequent. But the costs of our climate change are not limited to financial factors only. As temperatures rise, everyone is increasingly at risk from illnesses. Pollution can cause more frequent asthma flare-ups and higher rates of illnesses like lung and heart disease. And women working in the kitchen for hours, feel these health issues more intensely. These adverse outcomes are reflected in pregnancy specifically, premature birth and low birth weight, both of which often have life-long consequences. The stillbirth of the baby is also been associated with increasing heat and air pollution. Heatwaves which are being fuelled by climate change, affect pregnant women, and their foetuses also their babies-to-be are at risk for low birth weight.

India has already experienced extreme weather events, with just a 1°C rise in global temperature. Some of these are the floods in Kerala, wildfires in Uttarakhand, and heatwaves in the north and the east, indicating its vulnerability. Everyday women work on the land to produce food, feed their families, and to earn their livelihood. Everyday, climate change is making this work harder for women.

Women are integral to climate change not only because of their role and dependence on natural resources but also because of their disproportionate vulnerability to climate change threats. Natural disasters which tend to increase due to climate change, also render women and girls vulnerable to sexual abuse and exploitation, particularly in contexts of pre-existing economic vulnerability. Sex trafficking of girls increases, as economic deprivation increases rapidly in the region. Financial strains due to crop failure and the resultant loss in household income increase marital stress and can result in spousal violence against women. It can also result in financial manipulation of women, as men often want to sell the crops which women grow in the dry seasons, without engaging their women (wives) in this decision.

It is thus evident that the connection between women and their engagement in climate change adaption is not given its due importance. For women of different ages, from different geographical locations dealing with climate change means dealing with inequality and intolerance. There is a paucity of data that documents issues faced by women due to the changing climate.

The way out for women to survive climate change :

For women practicing agriculture, it is crucial to diversify their sources of income. It is the most important way to protect them. If women are helped to adapt to climate change and improve their income situation, they can lead a financially stable life with their families. Climate change has severe impacts on women’s life and hence this issue must not be overlooked. It is therefore important to identify gender-sensitive approaches, as a response to human security needs, specifically concerning the women population.

Efforts should be taken in reducing women’s vulnerability, helping gender-sensitive emergency responses and enlisting women as key environmental actors in natural disaster management decision-making processes. Alongside men should tap on women’s skills, resourcefulness and leadership in the mitigation and adaptation efforts.

References

The Climate Reality Project. HOW IS CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTING WOMEN? 14 March 2018. Document. 11 October 2020.

Welle, Deutsche. How climate change leads to more violence against women, girls. 4 March 2020. Document. 11 October 2020.

The New Indian Express. India halved its poverty rate since 1990s: World Bank. 16 October 2019. Document. 11 October 2020.

Namratha Rao. Women May Be More Vulnerable To Climate Change But Data Absent. 1 July 2019. Document. 12 October 2020.

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Contributed By:

Sneha Umaria Content Writer @ Prerna Foundation